Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

Chapter 248 Captain Uchiha Arrives for an Audience~

After a brief and amicable negotiation, the four tailed beasts, led by Kurama, willingly signed a strategic agreement with Hashirama Senju for mutual benefit.

"untie."

"Roar!!"

As Hashirama Senju released the four tailed beasts from their bonds, the four tailed beasts, now free, raised their heads and let out deafening roars.

The sound waves, accompanied by a massive shockwave, kicked up a cloud of dust, forcing onlookers to cover their faces.

The moment he regained his freedom, a glint of light flashed in Kurama's eyes.

Seeing Hashirama Senju covering his face, it quietly took a small step back, its huge beastly eyes revealing cunning as it looked for an opportunity to escape.

You want me to fight for you humans? Keep dreaming!

However, just as Nine-Tailed Fox was about to make its escape, several thick branches suddenly sprang up from the ground, startling it so much that it instinctively clenched its rear end and almost couldn't hold it in.

Um... I didn't even move yet, are human senses that strong?

Nine-Tails muttered to itself, then closed its eyes, waiting for the wooden branch to begin its binding play.

"Roar~"

However, after waiting for a long time, the Nine-Tailed Fox did not feel that suffocating tension. Instead, a familiar scream made it open its eyes and look towards the source of the sound.

The Five-Tailed King Mu struggled and fell to the ground, its four long hooves tightly entangled by thick wooden branches.

At the same time, the pitiful scream that emanated from its mouth made the hearts of many tailed beasts tighten.

"Humans should be honest, and animals should be even more so!"

Hashirama Senju, with his hands clasped together, looked at the Five-Tails with a serious expression, his tone extremely menacing.

It turns out that the Five-Tailed King Kokuou had already started plotting his own schemes immediately after being released.

With a quick glance around, the Five-Tails figured that as the fastest tailed beast to escape, getting away from this human would be a piece of cake; its previous capture was simply due to its carelessness.

After thinking it over, it started to run away in the direction where there were no obstacles.

But to its utter surprise, the human was prepared. The instant it lifted one foot, several wooden branches swiftly and decisively bound it tightly.

King Mu, struck by a sudden and heavy blow, lost his balance and collapsed to the ground, where he could only lie trembling like a lamb to the slaughter.

"Cough cough cough, I didn't mean to run, I was just warming up~"

The Five-Tails, whose strength was completely drained by Wood Release, barely managed to prop its head up and weakly explained to the displeased Hashirama Senju, "I am powerless to resist Wood Release."

"Hey~ you should have said so earlier! I thought you were trying to run away!"

Upon hearing this, Hashirama Senju laughed heartily, giving King Mu a way out. He then loosened his grip, and the wooden branches slowly slackened, eventually turning into rotten wood.

"Keep it up, you guys! True freedom is just around the corner!"

His expression softened, and Hashirama Senju clapped his hands, speaking encouragingly to the four terrified tailed beasts.

Leading his four now-docile tailed beasts, Hashirama Senju approached Madara Uchiha. Looking at his close friend who was resting with his eyes closed, he scratched his head somewhat sheepishly and spoke...

"Sorry, Mada, I've kept you waiting~"

"Whatever, let's begin."

Slowly opening his crimson eyes, Madara Uchiha revealed a rare smile on his usually cold and stern face. Full of anticipation, he was ready to meet Hashirama Senju's challenge.

Just then, a blue lightning bolt streaked across the clear sky, and the familiar white-haired figure made a grand entrance.

"Then, I'll be the referee this time!"

With his arms crossed, Tobirama Senju appeared between the two contestants. A glint flashed in his crimson eyes before he slowly spoke, revealing his identity.

He, Tobirama Senju, is absolutely fair!

"Whoa~"

As Tobirama Senju finished speaking, a thunderous chorus of boos erupted from the audience; the thunderous applause he had imagined did not materialize.

"What do you mean?"

Frowning, Tobirama Senju looked at the people below with a gloomy expression, especially Izuna Uchiha, who made a highly insulting gesture to express his dissatisfaction.

The composed Uchiha Gin stood up from the stool, meeting Tobirama Senju's sinister eyes without fear.

He then turned to the silent members of the ninja alliance and said seriously,

"It's really unfair that people from your Senju clan have always been the judges, don't you think, Sasuke?"

Unexpectedly, Uchiha Gin put him in the lead, and Sarutobi Sasuke, feeling extremely uncomfortable, had no choice but to bite the bullet and reply.

"Um, yes, a little."

Waving to Sarutobi Sasuke to calm down, assuring him that the Uchiha clan was his strong support, Gin Uchiha looked at Tobirama Senju, whose face was grim and dripping with sweat, and spoke in a tone that brooked no refusal.

"Look, everyone thinks the same way. How about we, the Uchiha clan, send someone to be the referee for this match?"

"That's right, that's right~"

Senju Itama, always eager for drama, joined in, adding fuel to the fire, which filled Tobirama with a sense of desolation.

His back, which had just straightened, was bent again by his own sister.

"Since this is the opinion of the majority, I will naturally follow it. This match will be overseen by a referee from your Uchiha clan."

With a sigh, Tobirama Senju lowered his hands, nodded to Gin Uchiha, and indicated his withdrawal from the refereeing profession.

Seeing that the referee's position was about to fall into the hands of the Uchiha, the younger cousin became extremely excited, grabbed Uchiha Gin's arm, and volunteered.

"Big cousin! Let me go, I'll cover for the biased referee!"

"Stare~" The white-haired man stared intently.

"Cough cough cough Izuna, how could you say such chilling things~"

Gin Uchiha subtly shook off Izuna Uchiha's hand, immediately severing ties with him.

His eyes were full of regret, as if he were looking at a child who had gone astray, and he was very heartbroken.

"Fine, let me, as your elder, uphold justice for you!"

Now that his younger cousin has revealed that he is no longer eligible to be a referee, the only person left who is capable of doing so is himself.

"You're going to be the referee?"

Tobirama Senju withdrew his teasing gaze from Izuna Uchiha, looked at the sighing Gin Uchiha, raised an eyebrow, and asked in surprise,

"Is that not allowed? Do referees also need to be certified to work?"

"No, I have no objection if you take the role."

Uchiha Gin was a little curious as to why Senju Tobirama hadn't stopped him. This white-haired guy was a ruthless person who could even shake the yolks off the eggs sold by the Uchiha Trading Company.

"Then I'll go upstairs~"

Seeing that Tobirama Senju had no objections, Gin Uchiha turned his gaze to the two players in the match, his eyes questioning.

"I trust Brother Yin to get things done!"

Hashirama Senju was confident and not flustered at all. He smiled and nodded to Gin Uchiha, indicating that he had no objections.

"."

Madara Uchiha remained silent, which was tantamount to acquiescence, but he had a strange look on his face. He had a feeling that his cousin was up to something.

"Heh heh! Here I come~"

Bearing a heavy responsibility, Uchiha Gin's expression turned serious. He reached into his bag on his back, rummaged for a moment, and slowly pulled out a luxurious golden cane. Then, laughing loudly, he leaped forward.

As his figure disappeared, a deafening voice resounded throughout the entire battlefield.

First: Never act impulsively.

Second: Never let any wrongdoing go unpunished.

Third: The referee must be absolutely fair and impartial.

Landing steadily, and raising his golden cane high, Uchiha Gin addressed the crowd, proclaiming loudly,

"Ta-da! Captain Uchiha, here to pay your respects!"

"Clap clap clap~ Wow~"

Between the Thousand Hands, eyes shining brightly, two small hands clapping until they were red.

Such a powerful declaration, such a dashing entrance—no wonder he's the man I've set my sights on!

"Uh..."

Uchiha Hikaru and Uchiha Osamu, who were standing to the side, remained relatively calm. After exchanging glances, a hint of shame appeared on their beautiful faces.

That line is so embarrassing!

"I never expected Mr. Yin to be such a fair and just person; he is truly a role model for us all!"

The members of the Ninja Alliance were also shocked by Uchiha Gin's speech. Sarutobi Sasuke nodded excitedly and couldn't help but comment.

"Hmph! It's definitely an act. If it weren't for the biased refereeing, I'd eat ten pounds of excrement while standing on my head!"

Prejudice is as thick as a mountain. After a brief moment of stunned silence, Kenichi Shimura snorted and declared that if Madara Uchiha lost, he would eat all the food in Konoha's public toilets on the spot.

Scamming for free food and drinks?

"Phew~ Can we begin?"

Madara Uchiha, his face twitching violently, stared stiffly at Gin Uchiha, who wore a smug expression. He swallowed the blood welling in his throat and asked in a deep voice,

Madara Uchiha felt that every second was torture. He had almost dug a four-bedroom, three-living room, two-bathroom hole in the bald head of the demon.

"Brother Yin, you set the rules!"

Hashirama Senju, his eyes also shining, smiled and said to the newly appointed referee...

"Well, since neither side has any objections, I hereby declare the first Konoha Pokémon Masters Tournament officially open!"

Having gained the approval of both sides, Uchiha Gin felt a great responsibility and dared not slack off in the slightest. A glint of light flickered in his dead fish eyes, and he had already made up his mind.

He then tossed the golden staff in his hand into the air, where it split into four pieces that landed steadily in the four corners of the arena.

In an instant, a mysterious and profound power flowed from the staff to the ground, and golden ripples rapidly spread, enveloping the eight enormous tailed beasts in the blink of an eye.

Meanwhile, the audience outside the venue was kept out by this force.

Then, a blinding golden light flashed, and an arena large enough to accommodate several tailed beasts appeared before everyone.

Everyone present was shocked by this unbelievable scene. They never expected that the seemingly unreliable Uchiha Gin would possess such amazing abilities.

They tried touching the golden, transparent barrier and found that the golden light within it was faintly visible, and no matter how hard they tried, they could not budge it in the slightest.

"What is this?"

Immediately, several questioning eyes turned to Uchiha Gin, who wore a satisfied expression, awaiting his explanation.

"Phew~ That was pretty tough!"

Wiping away non-existent sweat from his forehead, Uchiha Gin breathed a sigh of relief, looked at the stage he had built, and revealed a satisfied smile.

"Big cousin, where did you learn this move?"

After sensing the situation, Madara Uchiha finally abandoned his aloof demeanor and asked his cousin,

What kind of ninjutsu is this golden barrier?

When asked about Uchiha Gin, he immediately blurted out...

"Hehe, see that cane? I spent a fortune on it."

They're going to use the same tired old excuses to fool everyone again.

"It's the land of craftsmen again, isn't it? Can you come up with a different excuse?"

Uchiha Gin's explanation was so familiar that he was practically sick of it; in his youthful ignorance, he had believed it wholeheartedly.

However, later, when he occasionally passed through the Land of Craftsmen while on a mission, he learned that the people of the Land of Craftsmen had never even heard of the ninja tools used by his older cousin.

"Cough cough cough, how many times have I explained this to you? This is a reclusive family in the Land of Craftsmen, making their own ninja tools. They are all unique and cannot be found on the market."

After clearing his throat a few times, Uchiha Gin replied with a calm expression.

Seeing his sincere expression, which didn't seem fake, Madara Uchiha couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

Could it be that guy named Qingming is lying to me?

Phew~ My older cousin is getting harder and harder to fool.

Seeing Madara Uchiha's furrowed brows, Gin Uchiha secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Then, glancing at the rising golden barrier around them, a smug glint flashed in his eyes.

This golden barrier, originally named the "Four Red Yang Formation," was an A-rank barrier ninjutsu he obtained from his backyard.

Contributor: Monkey~

However, the original version is red, and the barrier is covered with scorching chakra, making it impossible to touch.

After being improved by Uchiha Gin, the scorching Fire Release chakra was replaced with Yang Release chakra, which is full of healing power.

While eliminating its destructive power, its defenses were strengthened, and it was given a self-repairing ability. Its color also changed from red to its current gold.

As a modified version, Uchiha Gin named it the "Four Luminaries Formation".

It's not four crows that flip the table!

"So it's a ninja tool. I didn't expect it to have progressed to this level."

Unlike Madara Uchiha, Hashirama Senju believed Gin Uchiha's words without question. He touched the golden barrier, his eyes shining as he looked at the four canes stuck in the ground, and exclaimed in surprise,

"Can ninja tools really do this much?"

As one of the top scientific researchers in the Land of Fire, Tobirama Senju was not so easily fooled. He could sense a strong Yang Release aura emanating from the golden barrier.

If it's the effect of ninja tools, then this technology must be monopolized by them; otherwise, if it falls into enemy hands, it will become a major problem.

"Hey, Kurama, what are you daydreaming about?"

Equally surprised were the four tailed beasts with normal consciousness. The Five-Tails, after examining the Four Suns Formation for a long time,

The usually noisy Nine-Tails was eerily quiet, its attention not on the barrier, but fixed on the curly-haired human.

"Didn't you notice?"

Interrupted from his thoughts, the Nine-Tailed Fox turned around with a furrowed brow, its yellow beastly eyes filled with deep confusion.

"I know you have a keen sense of perception, so stop showing off~"

The six-tailed rhinoceros hound also came over. Hearing the nine-tailed hound's words, it shook its antennae and spoke.

"That human... he has the old man's aura on him, something's wrong. Not just the old man, but also the aura of his lecherous younger brother!"

Nine-Tails sniffed and checked several times, but the result remained the same.

"Uh, how could that be? Your rhinitis is acting up again, isn't it? Chongming, I told you not to use that stupid scale powder!"

King Mu shook his head, revealing an incredulous expression. After examining Uchiha Gin for a moment, he bluntly stated that the Nine-Tails' senses were malfunctioning, and that the culprit was the traitor Chongming.

"I just think that human was really annoying, he had absolutely nothing to do with the old man~"

"indeed."

Kurama covered its nose and observed with its eyes only, but it also felt that Uchiha Gin was very annoying and then began to doubt itself.

"This is the effect of the ninja tool. After chakra is injected into it, a barrier will be created, preventing people outside from entering and preventing attacks from inside from causing damage to the area outside the barrier."

Glossy Uchiha briefly mentioned the effects of the ninja tools, then raised his right hand and spoke, his eyes darting around.

"Now, I will announce the rules of the competition."

The attention of everyone who was studying the barrier was drawn to this. Seeing their expectant looks, Uchiha Gin spoke loudly.

"This is a title defense competition. Each side sends out one tailed beast to fight. The loser is eliminated, and the winner defends the title. This continues until one side's tailed beasts are all defeated. The side standing on the stage at the end wins!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. The rules set by Uchiha Gin were simple and showed no favoritism, which made them convincing.

"I knew I hadn't misjudged him."

With a sense of relief, Tobirama Senju looked at Gin Uchiha's hair curling up without wind and nodded with satisfaction.

"Then, both sides, please send out your tailed beasts!"

After confirming that both sides had no objections, Uchiha Gin raised his hands to signal the start of the match.

"Madara, the strength of a tailed beast is directly related to the number of its tails~"

As the match began, Hashirama Senju smiled and said to Madara Uchiha, who had difficulty making decisions,

"Hmph~ How could that be!"

Madara Uchiha naturally didn't believe such claims. He immediately lowered his head, looked at the large blue cat lying at his feet, a red light flashing in his eyes, and asked, "..."

"Do you tailed beasts measure your strength by the number of your tails?"

"Nonsense, meow! Our tails are just decorations; our strength depends on our individual methods."

When questioned, even under hypnosis, Yutaka still couldn't resist his old argument that "the tail is useless."

"Alright, you'll be the first one. Prove it to me with your skills."

Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.

Since you say the tail is useless, then let you go first.

Meow~

Hypnotized, Masato had no chance to resist. Under Madara Uchiha's control, he jumped onto the golden arena, his scarlet eyes giving off an invisible sense of oppression.

"Sigh~ Mada, why won't you believe me~"

He sighed and shook his head. That Uchiha Madara, he really wouldn't give up until he saw the Yellow River.

Then, turning to look at the four tailed beasts whispering behind him, he asked,

"Who wants to go first?"

"I'll take on that guy, Matatabi!"

The four tailed beasts temporarily set aside the topic of Uchiha Gin and, after some discussion, watched as the Two-Tails jumped onto the arena. After some discussion, King Koku stepped forward.

There's nothing we can do about it; it has the shortest tail.

Having said that, he transformed into a white lightning bolt and appeared on the arena in the blink of an eye.

"Alright~ First battle, Two-Tails vs. Five-Tails, let the battle begin!"

Such a scene of tailed beasts fighting is extremely rare. Uchiha Gin watched the two tailed beasts poised to attack with great interest, waving a flag he had somehow obtained, and announced the start of the match.

"roar!"

As the silver Uchiha flag fell, the blue-clad Matatabi instantly vanished from the spot.

The next moment, sharp cat claws silently landed on King Mu's head, showing no mercy whatsoever.

"Hmph~"

Even as the cat's paw was about to strike his head, King Mu showed no panic. A hint of disdain appeared in his eyes, and the four sharp horns on his forehead suddenly rose, carrying unparalleled monstrous strength, to meet the Two-Tailed Fox's signature cat paw.

"boom!"

The two collided with a deafening roar. To everyone's astonishment, the Two-Tailed Beast, who had just confidently asserted that its tail meant nothing, was sent flying dozens of meters before crashing heavily into the golden barrier.

The immense impact caused those behind the barrier to instinctively dodge.

As a result, the massive body of the tailed beast did not shake the barrier in the slightest, nor did it even cause the slightest ripple.

"That's all?"

The Five-Tails shook its slightly aching head, raised its head, looked at the panting Matatabi lying on the ground, and said with a sarcastic tone,

"Ugh~ Damn it!"

Feeling as if its body was falling apart, the two-tailed beast gritted its teeth and stood up. Looking at the smug five-tailed beast, it opened its mouth wide, and a huge fireball shot out, aimed directly at King Mu.

"Who are you underestimating?"

King Mu decided not to continue indulging the two-tailed beast, as the outcome of the battle would affect its freedom.

With this in mind, it decisively opened its mouth wide, and the black Tailed Beast Ball expanded inside.

In comparison, the fireballs spewed out by the Two-Tails seemed rather meager.

"Tailed Beast Ball!"

Seeing that the Five-Tails was serious, the Two-Tails stopped testing the waters and began to prepare a black Tailed Beast Ball in its mouth, deciding to settle the matter in one move.

"Bang!"

Both beasts simultaneously prepared their Tailed Beast Balls. A glint flashed in their eyes, and the enormous Tailed Beast Balls shot out. The scorching chakra collided, creating a deafening explosion.

As the smoke from the explosion dissipated, everyone craned their necks curiously, eager to see what had happened.

"Who's winning?"

The two tailed beasts in the arena were still in the same pose as when they launched their tailed beast balls, their fur charred black.

"Ah~"

Just when everyone thought the outcome was still uncertain, the big blue cat swayed, let out a mournful cry, and collapsed to the ground. Its sharp eyes turned into mosquito coil-like eyes, indicating that it had lost its fighting ability.

"Yatari, now you should be convinced, right?"

King Mu, his body charred black, slowly opened his mouth, and a few wisps of white smoke drifted out.

"First battle, Five-Tails wins!"

After confirming that the Two-Tails was no longer able to fight, Uchiha Gin decisively raised the flag, announcing the victory to the world.

"Haha~ It's a bit of a glitch, sorry~"

Hashirama Senju, having won his first battle, was overjoyed. He waved at Madara Uchiha, whose face was cold and expressionless, and shouted loudly,

"Hmph~ Useless thing!"

Madara Uchiha was furious that the Two-Tails lost so decisively. He didn't even want to look at Taruka anymore, fixing his gaze on the muscular Four-Tails, and said...

"Can you win?"

"Fight? I, Old Sun, have never been afraid of anyone!"

Exuding an aura of savagery, the four-tailed beast, its muscles bulging, straightened up, its massive fist pounding against its strong chest muscles, displaying its power.

"Then you go and smash that weirdo-looking white donkey!"

(End of this chapter)